Effectiveness of cost saving measures in improving KCSE performance in public secondary schools: case of Marakwet West District, Kenya

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This study sought to assess the effectiveness of cost saving measures in improving KCSE performance in public secondary schools in Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed at meeting objectives such as analyzing resource endowment of public secondary schools, the effectiveness of cost saving measures in improving KCSE performance and make recommendations on the effectiveness of cost saving measures in improving KCSE performance in public secondary schools in Marakwet West district. Generally, the research examined in absolute terms resource issue and the implication of resource allocation and utilization in improving KCSE performance and finding out if the phenomenon of KCSE performance was directly related to this problem. The study obtained qualitative and quantitative aspects based on the data from the public secondary schools which were selected in Marakwet West district. In the study, nineteen (19) head teachers from KCSE schools or centers were put into strata through stratified sampling. Moreover, (one) 1 district education officer was involved in the study. The head teachers were given questionnaires while the DEO was interviewed by the researcher. The questionnaires were administered personally by the researcher after being piloted at Moi Kapsowar Girls Secondary School and Kapcherop Boys Secondary School for validity' and reliability tests of the instruments. The data collected was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS-X computer programme. Qualitative data was analyzed according to themes, objectives and the research questions. Inferences, conclusion and recommendations were then drawn based on the findings. The findings of the study revealed that most public secondary schools in the district did not have adequate learning resources to improve KCSE performance as the district mean score in 2009 was4.678 with only 2 students attaining A-,and 27 getting the grade of B+. It was also found that all schools had costsaving measures in place despite low performance in KCSE and the existence of small schools with low pupil-teacher ratio and low pupil-worker ratio. Otherwise, it was found that public secondary schools in the district were 92.8% optimistic of implementing effective cost -saving measures in the future. The study would help educationists to identify effective cost- saving measures so as to improve KCSE performance in public secondary schools. Additionally, the study drew attention to MoE and public secondary school management to the hindrance of implementing effective cost -saving measures and also added literature to the body of knowledge on the effectiveness of cost- saving measures in improving KCSE performance in public secondary schools.